Ponting to retire from Test cricket after Perth Test

Perth: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting today announced that he will retire from Test cricket after playing in the third Test against South Africa which begins here from Friday.

"A few hours ago I let the team know that this upcoming Test will be my last," Ponting said at a hastily-called press conference here.

"It's a decision I thought long and hard about, put in long consideration about the decision, at the end of the day it was about my results and my output in this series so far," Ponting said.

"It hasn't been to the level required for batsmen and players in the Australian team. My level of performance hasn't been good enough."

Following a poor start to the Test series with low scores in Brisbane and Adelaide, Ponting said he was troubled by the "tentative" manner of his dismissals.

In the second Test in Adelaide, he was bowled twice in the same match for only the second time in a career that began in 1995.

Ponting has managed just 20 runs from three innings in two Tests so far against South Africa.

He has scored 13,366 Test runs at an average of 52.21 and scored an Australian record of 41 centuries.

Ponting will retire at his 168th Test match, which would be the same as that of former captain Steve Waugh's record Australian appearance.

Read More

Yadav, rest squad unchanged for 3rd Test

Mumbai: Unfazed by the humiliating defeat in the second Test against England at Mumbai, national selectors on Tuesday persisted with the same squad giving under-fire star players another chance to prove their worth in the third match starting December 5 in Kolkata.



 The selectors refrained from making major changes to the team barring the inclusion of paceman Ashok Dinda for an injured Umesh Yadav. Dinda had been called as a cover for Ishant Sharma in the first Test and Yadav in the second Test though he did not get to play.

The selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil was to announce the team for the remaining two Test matches but did so only for the Kolkata match in a clear perform-or-perish message for some of the under-performing players.

"The teams for the fourth Test and the T20 Intl series, will be picked later," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

India lost the Mumbai Test by 10 wickets inside four days and there was intense speculation a leg-spinner would be drafted into the squad to bring more variety in the spin department.

But the selectors reposed faith on the spin trio of R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh despite their failure to exploit the pitch in Mumbai which was tailormade to suit India's demands.

Harbhajan retained his place in the squad despite picking up two wickets in the Mumbai Test where he bowled just 23 overs unlike Ashwin and Ojha who sent down nearly 45 overs each.

Also retained was senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has been going through a prolonged form slump, his last 10 innings yielding just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.

In the current series he has scored merely 13, 8 and 8 and has looked clearly out of sorts.

Opener Gautam Gambhir, who has also been out of form, did well in the second innings of the Mumbai match to hang on to his spot in the side.

The third Test will be played at Eden Gardens, which has been the venue of some of India's historic triumph, while Nagpur will stage the fourth and final Test from December 13 to 17.

The two Twenty20 Internationals after the Test series will be played in Pune and Mumbai on December 20 and 22 respectively.

The Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Zaheer Khan.

Read More

Government authorities underestimated my security concerns: Lalit Modi

New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has alleged that the Enforcement Directorate underestimated his security concerns and the government misrepresented facts to manipulate information regarding his motives to leave India.

In a statement published on his official website, Modi claims to have in possession various communiqués, that he got accessed to through RTI, which prove that his decision to leave the country was based on genuine threats to his life and the failure of government to provide the same.

“I present further evidence regarding the attempts by certain sections of the Indian government to besmirch my reputation with mis-information and a suppression of the facts,” Modi said in a statement on his official website.

Modi has been accused of financial irregularities during his tenure as the IPL commissioner and he is evading probe that has forced the Indian government to enforce his return to the country.

“On 25th April, 2010, the third season of the IPL finished against the backdrop of the political events surrounding Mr. Tharoor’s resignation. I was suspended by the BCCI as Chairman of the IPL and the following day, 26th April, 2010, the BCCI issued a Show Cause Notice to me asking me to respond to a range of charges about my conduct whilst I was Chairman of the IPL.”

“On 11th May, 2010 there was a sudden reduction in the level of protection provided to me by the Mumbai Police, with all armed police being withdrawn. I was not given any warning or any reasons for this action.”

“With no armed protection in India, but no reduction in the ongoing level of threats, which the security forces knew were still active, I had no option but to leave India. I left India on 14th May, 2010 and travelled to London,” the statement read.

Read More

Sachin should speak to selectors about future: Kapil

 New Delhi: Saddened by the criticism that Sachin Tendulkar is facing due to his lean run, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev said the veteran batsman should speak to the selectors about his future.

Tendulkar`s poor run continued in the recently-concluded second Test against England which the visitors won in just four days despite the track being tailormade to India`s demands.

Following the 39-year-old`s most recent failure, ex-captain Sunil Gavaskar said it was time for him to speak to the selectors. And now, Kapil has echoed his former teammate`s view.


"Either selectors should speak to him or Sachin should himself have a word with them. The problem is that Sachin does not speak about it openly and the selectors have also been mum about it till now," Kapil said in an interview.

"This results in confusion amongst the fans and also invites criticism from everyone, especially when Sachin performs badly. Selectors should talk to him openly. He (Sachin) is a hero and one feels really bad to see fingers being pointed at him," he said.

After the defeat against England in the Mumbai Test, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also facing the ire of former players. Kapil said Dhoni`s place in the playing XI is in itself questionable.

"It is a big loss, indeed. We never let other teams dominate in our own conditions. But, this loss has raised some serious questions. We all know that Dhoni has performed badly in the last 8-10 Tests and going purely by performance, his place in the playing XI seems a bit doubtful."When you win, a captain takes the entire credit and similarly he will also be blamed when the team loses. He has let himself down and fans are feeling the same," said the 1983 World Cup winning skipper.

Kapil said that the team is going through a transition phase after retirement of legends such as Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman but hoped that it will bounce back in the remaining two Tests against England.

Read More

India vs England 2012: Mumbai Test, Day 1 - As it happened

Cheteshwar Pujara cracked his second consecutive Test century as India recovered from a precarious situation to restore the balance in the second cricket Test against England.

HERE IS HOW THE DAY PANNED OUT:

INDIA Over: 90 II Score: 266/6 ( Pujara 114*, Ashwin 60*)

So, at stumps India will feel happy while England will feel a little let down as the seventh wicket partnership between India Pujara and Ashwin has brought them back into the second Test. On a pitch that was offering turn and bounce right from the word go, Indian batsmen were put to swords as Monty Panesar rocked their top order taking four crucial wickets. Thanks to a brilliant century from Pujara and some strokeful batting from Ashwin, the hosts managed to recover from 169/6. The stand for the seventh wicket is now worth 97 – the highest of the match so far.

INDIA Over: 86 II Score: 258/6 ( Pujara 113*, Ashwin 53*)

R Ashwin has completed his half century. He reached the landmark after attempting to pull a shirt one from Broad that ballooned over Prior’s head after taking the top edge. He has hit eight boundaries. Pujara has faced 264 deliveries and has 10 boundaries while Ashwin has played 69 balls and has 9 boundaries.

INDIA Over: 83 II Score: 246/6 ( Pujara 106*, Ashwin 48*)

R Ashwin has collected three boundaries from Anderson’s 14th over. The first one was guided behind point; the second was played fine while the third was pulled over square leg for four. 12 runs from the over. He is nearing a Test fifty.

INDIA Over: 81 II Score: 232/6 ( Pujara 105*, Ashwin 35*)

Another century from the new ‘Wall’. This should bring him more satisfaction than any of his previous knocks. It has come under pressure and in some probing conditions. He reached the milestone in style with a pull towards deep backward square region off James Anderson.

INDIA Over: 80 II Score: 224/6 ( Pujara 99*, Ashwin 33*)

The current partnership is now worth 55. Pujara is just a single away from his third Test ton.

INDIA Over: 74 II Score: 212/6 ( Pujara 94*, Ashwin 26*)

Pujara and the thin crowd present at the Wankhede stadium heaved a collective sigh of relief as the third umpire signalled him not out. Pujara went for a pull off Swann in the 74th over and the ball looked to have hit Cook at short leg and then being caught at midwicket. The dismissal was referred to the third umpire and it turned out that the ball actually bounced off the ground before being caught. Would have been an unfortunate dismissal!

INDIA Over: 68 II Score: 198/6 ( Pujara 88*, Ashwin 18*)

R Ashwin has played some beautiful strokes here after coming in to bat following the departure of Dhoni. He struck back-to-back boundaries off pacer Stuart Broad. Three boundaries have come off his bat so far. Do remember that he has a Test century to his name.

INDIA Over: 62 II Score: 169/6 ( Pujara 77*, Ashwin 0*)

Monty Panesar struck immediately after tea as he picked up India skipper MS Dhoni for 29. The ball jumpped again and took the outside edge of Dhoni's bat which was brilliantly caught by Graeme Swann standing at gully.

INDIA (AT TEA) Over: 60 II Score: 167/5 ( Pujara 77*, Dhoni 27*)

The second session has seen India making some recovery with captain MS Dhoni and Cheteshwar Pujara adding 48 runs for the sixth wicket. 80 runs have been scored in 32 overs after lunch with India losing the wickets of Yuvraj and Kohli.

INDIA Over: 55 II Score: 156/5 ( Pujara 70*, Dhoni 23*)

James Anderson is now back into the attack. Monty Panesar has been given a breather after firing in 23 overs. The score has moved beyond 150-run mark.

INDIA Over: 50 II Score: 143/5 ( Pujara 63*, Dhoni 18*)

Two boundaries have been scored in the last five overs, both coming from the bat of MS Dhoni. Monty is bowling tight and building pressure. He almost had his fourth wicket in Pujara when Anderson dropped him after diving from second slip. The ball turned and bounced while taking an edge that could have resulted in India losing their sixth wicket. It was a difficult chance though.

INDIA Over: 45 II Score: 128/5 ( Pujara 59*, Dhoni 7*)

It will be interesting to see what approach will MS Dhoni adopt to advance the Indian innings on a pitch that is offering turn and bounce on the opening day (just as Dhoni had asked for!). Will he attack or defend? Meanwhile, Pujara is making the pitch look comfortable for batting everytime he has been on the strike.

INDIA Over: 40 II Score: 119/5 ( Pujara 57*, Dhoni 0*)

Another Indian wicket goes down!!! This time Graeme Swann castles Yuvraj Singh. The ball doesn’t turned quite as much as it Swann angled one to Yuvi. The ball missed the outside edge and crashed on the off stump. He went for a duck. India have lost half of their side as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni walks in.

INDIA Over: 39 II Score: 118/4 ( Pujara 56*, Yuvraj 0*)

And Monty gets his third wicket. His inclusion into the English side has done a world of good to them it seems. Tossed up and Virat Kohli attempts a drive. The ball goes towards extra cover as Nick Compton takes a good catch. Kohli is livid with himself. He scored 19 (55b, 4X3). India are four wickets down.

INDIA Over: 35 II Score: 103/3 ( Pujara 51*, Kohli 9*)

He just loves scoring runs!!! Doesn’t he? Cheteshwar Pujara has completed yet another Test half-century with a boundary towards midwicket region. He has hit five boundaries so far in the innings and is yet to be dismissed in this series.

INDIA Over: 29 II Score: 90/3 ( Pujara 40*, Kohli 7*)

The post lunch session is underway and it’s Monty Panesar who has begun the proceedings. Gives away three runs off his first three deliveries. Manages to keep Kohli quiet in his next three.

INDIA (AT LUNCH) Over: 28 II Score: 87/3 ( Pujara 38*, Kohli 6*)

So after the end of first session of play, England have managed to stay ahead of India. They have got three crucial wickets that include Gambhir, Sehwag and Tendulkar.

Monty Panesar has two wickets to his name – Tendulkar and Sehwag – and clearly has been the top bowler for England at lunch. The responsibility to steer Indian innings now rests on the young shoulders of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli.

Alastair Cook looked dissappointed after losing the toss in the morning but should now be satisfied with the performance of his bowlers.

INDIA Over: 24 II Score: 81/3 ( Pujara 34*, Kohli 6*)

Grame Swann has been introduced into the attack. Kohli drives his third delivery for a boundary through covers. Spin in operation for the first time in this Test from both the ends.

INDIA Over: 18.6 II Score: 60/3 ( Pujara 17*, Sachin 8)

And that’s the big fish!!! After Sehwag it’s Sachin Tendulkar who has been castled by Monty Panesar. The first ball that spun has got the better of the Master. The ball was pitched on the middle, Tendulkar looked to flick it but it went past him to hit the stumps. He scored 8 (12b, 4X1). In walks the new poster boy of Indian cricket Virat Kohli.

INDIA Over: 16.2 II Score: 52/2 (Sehwag 30, Pujara 17*)

And Sehwag has been bowled!!! Monty Panesar has given England the breakthrough by castling Sehwag. It was a half volley that Sehwag tried to play across. He missed it and the ball sneaked past his bat to hit the off stump. He scored 30 (43b, 4X4).

Sachin Tendulkar is the new man in.

INDIA Over: 15 II Score: 52/1 (Sehwag 30*, Pujara 17*)

15 overs have been bowled and still Alastair Cook hasn’t thrown the ball to Graeme Swann who took five wickets in the first innings of the Ahmedabad Test. Meanwhile, India have completed 50 runs after losing their opening batsman Gautam Gambhir off the second ball of the morning.

INDIA Over: 10 II Score: 36/1 (Sehwag 17*, Pujara 14*)

So 10 overs have been bowled in the Indian innings and the pitch is offering something for the seamers. Sehwag who is playing in his 100th Test would be eyeing a double – a century in his 100th match. Partnering him in the middle is Pujara who has been watchful in this first session so far. Monty Panesar, who has been included into the side as another specialist spinner, gave nine runs in his first over. Sehwag and Pujara scored a boundary each from the over.

INDIA Over: 2 II Score: 11/2

Virender Sehwag gets off the mark with a boundary by playing on the up and sending the ball between extra cover and mid-off for a boundary.

INDIA Over: 1.2 II Score: 4/1

What a dramatic start to the second Test!!! James Anderson got the new ball and bowled the first one on Gautam Gambhir’s leg. The southpaw puts that away for a boundary. The next ball hits Gambhir on the pads. Anderson asks the question and to his delight, umpire Tony Hill raises his finger. In walks first match double centurion Cheteshwar Pujara.

TOSS: Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first.

In Virender Sehwag’s 100th Test, India will look to tighten their grip over the four-match series to taken an unassailable lead when they take field in Mumbai on Friday.

Already 1-0 up in what has been touted as the `revenge series`, another victory for Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s men will ensure that England`s quest for their first series win on Indian soil in 27 years will continue. It will also keep Indian on track for a whitewash and avenge the 4-0 defeat they suffered during their last tour to England.


Teams:

India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha

England: Alastair Cook(c), Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Bairstow, Samit Patel, Matt Prior(w), Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Monty Panes.

SCORECARD

Read More